Members of the Texas County Commission met several times to conduct business.
Here is a report based on minutes released Friday.
Nov. 21 meeting
Members:
•Heard from George Sholtz of Upton on a proposed Community Improvement District for TCMH. He questioned the commission on the ownership of the hospital land.
•Met with Sheriff Scott Lindsey and Chief Deputy Rowdy Douglas regarding several matters. Lindsey said he had hired Douglas as his top officer. Effective Dec. 13, Consolidated Foods will no longer be the food provider at Texas County Jail due to stated multiple issues and complaints. Springfield Grocers will deliver food every two weeks, effective Dec. 14. The county will hire employees to operate the kitchen. The request is for one full-time employee and two part-time workers. The requested pay is $10.50 per hour for the supervisor and $9.5 for part-time help.
There were also conversations about changes to the medical program in the jail and ways to improve.
•Heard from Debbie James, assessor, regarding ownership of Texas County Memorial Hospital property. She made clarifications to a parcel and will have a report from Hiett Title next week.
•Adjourned into a closed session to discuss personnel matter with Lindsey and Douglas.
Nov. 28-29 meetings
Members:
•Heard from Clinton Swartz, emergency manager director, on grant monies available.
•Listened to a presentation from Mike Scott, Barker Phillips Jackson, regarding health insurance plans with an option of vision and dental. The commission agreed to allow the additional plans to be offered. An Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plan was selected over one from United Healthcare.
•Learned Aaron Sigman would become a full-time deputy on Nov. 28. Danny Fox, court deputy, was to retire Dec. 5.
•Heard from Sholtz regarding a hospital Community Improvement District (CID) . It was stated a title search of the property was pending.
•Met with County Prosecutor Parke Stevens Jr.
•Decided its court order process would continue through the clerk’s office.
Dec. 5-6 meetings
Members:
•Heard from Elaine Campbell of Texas County University Extension about the 2019 budget. No action was taken.
•Reviewed a letter advising the commission of plans to celebrate the Missouri bicentennial in 2021. It was sent by Community Betterment and Arts Council of Houston, Downtown Houston Inc. and Houston Area Chamber of Commerce. A meeting was planned Dec. 13 at the Melba Performing Arts Center with the state director overseeing it.
•Declared Jan. 20-26 as “National School Choice Week” in Texas County.
•Heard that Joshua Hurst required a medical followup after an assault by an inmate. Charges of second-degree assault are pending.
•Acknowledged that Kathleen Jones will begin work as kitchen supervisor on Dec. 12 and Scott Lyons has resigned effective Nov. 28 as jail administrator. Tim Garnica was moved from court deputy to jail administrator on Nov. 28.
•Heard from George Sholtz on the CID. He reported he would subpoena city officials if it goes to court. Commissioners said it is their position to support locally elected officials.
•Visited with Parke Stevens Jr., county prosecutor, about his possible military deployment in February.